EP4299928A1 - Nicht-wobble-fir-baumhalterung - Google Patents

Nicht-wobble-fir-baumhalterung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4299928A1
EP4299928A1 EP23181950.9A EP23181950A EP4299928A1 EP 4299928 A1 EP4299928 A1 EP 4299928A1 EP 23181950 A EP23181950 A EP 23181950A EP 4299928 A1 EP4299928 A1 EP 4299928A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
branch
mounting
section
flange member
body section
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23181950.9A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Scott J. Adams
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HellermannTyton Corp
Original Assignee
HellermannTyton Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by HellermannTyton Corp filed Critical HellermannTyton Corp
Publication of EP4299928A1 publication Critical patent/EP4299928A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B21/00—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings
    • F16B21/06—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action
    • F16B21/08—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part
    • F16B21/084—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part with a series of flexible ribs or fins extending laterally from the shank of the stud, pin or spigot, said ribs or fins deforming predominantly in a direction parallel to the direction of insertion of the shank
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B21/00—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings
    • F16B21/06—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action
    • F16B21/08—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part
    • F16B21/082—Releasable fastening devices with snap-action in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part the stud, pin or spigot having two resilient parts on its opposite ends in order to connect two elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
    • H02G3/02—Details

Definitions

  • An example fir tree mount includes a resilient mounting section with a mounting stud and plurality of flexible branches extending outwardly from the mounting stud (e.g., core).
  • the branches e.g., ribs, fins
  • the branches are configured for deforming (flexing) predominantly in a direction parallel to the direction of insertion of the mounting stud into the mounting aperture.
  • a first portion of the branches may entirely pass through the mounting aperture and spring back to engage a backside of the supporting structure to retain the fir tree mount in the aperture, while a second portion of the branches remains in a flexed position within the aperture, providing for lateral support of the mounting section in the aperture.
  • the fir tree mount may include an object support that is configured to attach to the component.
  • the lateral support provided by the second portion of branches may be limited, and a gap between the mounting stud and the distal ends of the second portion of branches may permit for movement of the mounting stud within the aperture.
  • This movement may include one or more of side-to-side movement, rocking movement, and/or tilting movement (collectively "lateral movement") and may result in the fir tree mount moving from a mounted position to a shifted position.
  • the mounting stud In the mounted position, the mounting stud may be centered relative to the axis of the mounting aperture. In the shifted position the mounting stud may be closer or farther from the distal ends of the second portion of branches.
  • the change from a mounted position to a shifted position is undesirable, because the lateral movement of the fir tree mount may result in a change to the position of the component attached to the fir tree mount (e.g., a change to the location of an elongate article attached to the fir tree mount), potentially resulting in a source of noise and/or damage to the attached component.
  • an anti-wobble fir tree mount for attaching a component to a supporting structure.
  • an anti-wobble fir tree mount is configured for reducing the lateral movement of the anti-wobble fir tree mount during use.
  • an apparatus may include a body section, the body section configured for positioning adjacent to a first side of a supporting structure, the body section having a bottom portion.
  • the apparatus may also include a mounting section, the mounting section extending from the bottom portion of the body section, the mounting section configured for insertion into a mounting aperture defined in the supporting structure first side, the mounting section having: a mounting stud; a first branch extending from the mounting stud; a second branch extending from the mounting stud, the second branch spaced apart from the first branch, the first branch positioned between the body section and the second branch, the first branch and the second branch configured for deflection in a direction of the body section upon insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture, the second branch may include an upper side facing the body section, the first branch may include: a lower side, the lower side facing the upper side of the second branch; and a flange member extending from the lower side, the flange member configured for contacting the upper side of the second branch during insertion of the mounting section into the
  • This document describes anti-wobble fir tree mounts for attaching a component to a supporting structure. Aspects described in the present disclosure address technical problems associated with the lateral movement of installed fir tree mounts during use. By reducing the lateral movement of the fir tree mount, the position of an attached component relative to the supporting structure is maintained, which may eliminate a source of noise, protect the component from damage, and have other benefits.
  • a described anti-wobble fir tree mount includes a body section, the body section configured for positioning adjacent to a first side of a supporting structure, the body section having a bottom portion.
  • the fir tree mount may also include a mounting section, the mounting section extending from the bottom portion of the body section, the mounting section configured for insertion into a mounting aperture defined in the supporting structure first side, the mounting section having: a mounting stud; a first branch extending from the mounting stud; a second branch extending from the mounting stud, the second branch spaced apart from the first branch, the first branch positioned between the body section and the second branch, the first branch and the second branch configured for deflection in a direction of the body section upon insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture, the second branch may include an upper side facing the body section, the first branch may include: a lower side, the lower side facing the upper side of the second branch; and a flange member extending from the lower side, the flange member configured for contacting the upper side of the second branch during
  • a described anti-wobble fir tree mount is configured to attach a component to a supporting structure at a mounting aperture defined in the supporting structure.
  • Illustrated in Fig. 1 is an environmental, cross-sectional view of an aspect of an anti-wobble fir tree mount 100 (fir tree mount 100).
  • the environment illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a supporting structure 10 onto which an anti-wobble fir tree mount 100 may be attached, for example, at a mounting aperture 20 defined in the supporting structure 10.
  • the supporting structure 10 may include one or more of a panel (e.g., door panel, trunk panel, wheel housing panel, dash panel), machine frame, machine rail, vehicle frame, vehicle chassis, sill plate, object surface, and the like.
  • the supporting structure 10 illustrated is a panel 12.
  • the panel 12 has a first side 14 opposite a second side 16.
  • the mounting aperture 20 extends from the first side 14 to the second side 16 and defines a panel thickness therebetween.
  • the mounting aperture 20 is circular, ovular, rectilinear, or another shape.
  • the anti-wobble fir tree mount 100 includes a mounting section 102 and a body section 160.
  • the mounting section 102 has a mounting stud 104 configured for mounting the fir tree mount 100 on the supporting structure 10.
  • the mounting section 102 further includes a plurality of branches 112 extending outwardly from the mounting stud 104.
  • the mounting stud 104 includes a cap portion 138 configured for receiving a portion of a nesting branch 140 (e.g., an uppermost branch, a last engaging branch) of the mounting stud 104.
  • the fir tree mount 100 may further attach to a component, such as component 30 illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • a component may include one or more of a channel, panel, elongate article (e.g., wire, cable, hose, tubing, pipe, fiber optic cable, conduit, wire harness assembly), and the like. Two or more components may be bundled together into a bundle.
  • the component 30 is a pipe.
  • the attachment to the component 30 may be through a connector section 170 that may include an object support 180 configured for supporting an object, such as a component 30.
  • the object support 180 is a cable tie mount having a head 182 configured for receiving an elongate strap 184.
  • different forms of connector sections 170 and/or object supports 180 may be utilized, as described below.
  • a fir tree mount 100 may not include a connector section and/or an object support.
  • the anti-wobble fir tree mount 100 is further illustrated in Figs. 2-8 without the connector section 170 illustrated, for simplification.
  • the anti-wobble fir tree mount 100 includes a mounting section 102 and a body section 160.
  • the mounting section 102 has a mounting stud 104 configured for mounting the fir tree mount 100 on the supporting structure 10.
  • the fir tree mount 100 is configured to enable an installer to exert a push-in force (e.g., an insertion force) on the fir tree mount 100 to insert the mounting stud 104 into the mounting aperture 20 to install the fir tree mount 100 on the supporting structure 10.
  • a push-in force e.g., an insertion force
  • clearance may exist between the branches and the flange member during the insertion of the mounting stud into the mounting aperture, allowing the fir tree mount to maintain low push-in force.
  • the retention strength of the fir tree mount in the mounting aperture, and the retention strength during pull-out, may be maintained (e.g., does not decrease) across a mounting aperture range.
  • the flange member may provide branch support during pull-out and a flange member may physically contact one or more adjoining branch during pull-out. In aspects, the flange member does not affect or increase the insertion force for inserting the mounting stud into the mounting aperture.
  • the mounting section 102 includes the mounting stud 104 and plurality of branches 112 extending outwardly from the mounting stud 104.
  • the branches 112 may be flexible branches configured for deforming (flexing) predominantly in a direction parallel to a direction of insertion (longitudinal insertion) of the mounting stud 104 into the mounting aperture 20 through the first side 14 of the supporting structure 10, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 .
  • a first portion 214 of the branches 112 may entirely pass through the mounting aperture 20 and spring back to engage a second side 16 of the supporting structure 10 to retain the fir tree mount 100 in the mounting aperture 20, while a second portion 216 of the branches 112 remain in a flexed position within the mounting aperture 20, providing for lateral support of the mounting stud 104 in the mounting aperture 20.
  • the branches 112 of the fir tree mount 100 engage the mounting aperture 20, resulting in a pull-out force that resists the withdrawal of the mounting stud 104 from the mounting aperture 20.
  • the flange member increases the pull-out force when removing the fir tree mount 100 from mounting aperture 20 across the range of capable mounting aperture sizes (e.g., mounting aperture diameter tolerance ranges).
  • the mounting section 102 may be elongated and may be circular, oval, or another shape.
  • the mounting sections illustrated in Figures 1-9 are circular in shape; whereas in other aspects the mounting section may be oval in shape (e.g., Fig. 10 ).
  • the mounting stud 104 includes a base 206 that attaches to the body section 160, an end 210, and a center section 208 located between the base 206 and the end 210.
  • the end 210 is configured for insertion into the mounting aperture 20 through the first side 14 of the supporting structure 10, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 .
  • the branches 112 extend outwardly from center section 208 of the mounting stud 104.
  • the branches 112 may extend towards the body section 160, as illustrated in Fig. 3 .
  • the branches 112 (e.g., first branch 318, second branch 320) have an upper side (e.g., upper side 326 of first branch 318, upper side 226 of second branch 320) and a lower side (e.g., lower side 328 of first branch 318, lower side 228 of second branch 320).
  • upper side and “lower” herein refers to the position of a side of a branch relative to the body section 160, where an upper (first) side faces the body section 160 and a lower (second) side faces away from the body section 160. In aspects, an upper (first) side may face away from the body section and a lower (second) side may face the body section.
  • the branches 112 have a root 230 that connects with the mounting stud 104 and an end 232 that is spaced apart from the root 230, with a fin portion 234 defined therebetween, as illustrated in Fig. 4A .
  • a branch 112 may taper from the root 230 to the end 232.
  • the end 232 may be sized to fit and engage a root diameter of a cut thread profile of mounting aperture that includes a threaded bore.
  • the branches 112 may be arranged in rows of branches axially spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the mounting stud 104 or a portion thereof. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 5 , a first array 522 of branches 112 extending along a first peripheral region of the mounting stud 104 and/or a second array 524 of branches 112 extending along a second peripheral region of the mounting stud 104. In aspects, the branches 112 extend from the center section 208 at an acute angle (e.g., toward the body section 160). The branches and/or arrays of branches may be arranged in an annular fashion (e.g., extending fully around the mounting stud, extending partially around the mounting stud), in a radial fashion, and the like.
  • the branches 1012 may be configured in an axially offset or helical thread pattern.
  • a first array 1022 of branches 1012 may be axially spaced, along the longitudinal axis of the mounting stud 1004, and spaced apart from a second array 1024 of branches 1012, thereby defining a helical thread pattern.
  • the branches 112 of the mounting section 102 include a first branch 318 and a second branch 320.
  • one or more of the branches 112 may include a flange member 350, located on one or both of the upper (first) side or the lower (second) side.
  • the first branch 318 includes a flange member 350, which extends from the lower side 328 of the first branch 318 and is defined on the underside of the branch.
  • the flange member 350 is located on the fin portion 234 of a branch 112 and may be spaced apart from the root 230 and the end 232.
  • the flange member 350 faces an opposing surface (e.g., the upper side 226) of the second branch 320.
  • the flange member 350 is configured to provide a fulcrum (e.g., fixed hinge) against which an adjacent branch can pivot (flex).
  • a fulcrum e.g., fixed hinge
  • the first branch 318 includes a flange member 350, which provides a fulcrum against which the second branch 320 can pivot.
  • a flange member 350 does not increase the push-in force, but may limit the deflection of the branches 112, thereby permitting passage into the mounting aperture 20.
  • the flange member 350 may fill gaps between the branches 112 and the mounting stud 104 and minimize lateral movement of the fir tree mount 100 in the mounting aperture 20.
  • the flange member 350 may reduce the clearance between the branches 112 at the point of contact within the mounting aperture 20 geometry.
  • the flange member 350 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4A includes a flat portion 402.
  • a flat portion 402 may define a plane that is generally perpendicular to at least one of a plane of the upper side 226 of the second branch 320 or a plane of the lower side 328 of the first branch 318.
  • the flat portion 402 extends between an outer ramp portion 404 and an inner ramp portion 406. At least one of the outer ramp portion 404 or the inner ramp portion 406 extend away from the branch 112 (e.g., the lower side 328 of the first branch 318).
  • the outer ramp portion 404 has a steeper pitch than the inner ramp portion 406 relative to the lower side 328 of the first branch 318.
  • an inner ramp portion may have a steeper pitch than an outer ramp portion or both ramp portions may have the same pitch.
  • the flat portion may be spaced apart from the lower side of the first branch. The inclusion of a flat portion 402 may add more steel and strength to the gap 410 located between the upper side 226 of the second branch 320 and the flat portion 402 of the flange member 350 in the mold. In this way, the steel conditions in the mold are improved, potentially increasing the life of the mold.
  • the flange member 350 has a cross-sectional shape that includes a conic portion represented by the inner ramp portion 406, a cylindrical portion represented by the flat portion 402, and a semi-ellipsoidal portion represented by the outer ramp portion 404.
  • a flange member may include one or more of no flat portion, a short flat portion, or a long flat portion.
  • Fig. 4B illustrates another aspect of a flange member 420 with a short flat portion 422, where the flange member 420 has a more of tear drop or wedge cross-sectional shape.
  • Fig. 4C illustrates an aspect of a flange member 430 with a long flat portion 432, where the flange member 430 has a more rectangular or ovular cross-sectional shape.
  • the flange member 350 is configured to limit the deflection of one or more adjacent branches when the branches 112 are compressed inward during the insertion into the mounting aperture 20.
  • the flange member 350 illustrated on the lower side 328 of the first branch 318 is configured to limit the deflection of the second branch 320 when the branches 112 deflect during the insertion of the branches 112 into the mounting aperture 20, as illustrated in Fig. 2 .
  • a gap is defined between an inner side (e.g., the upper side 226) of the branch 112 and the mounting stud 104, as illustrated in Fig. 2 .
  • the presence of the flange member 350 results in a reduction and/or removal of the gap, resulting in a tighter fit of the fir tree mount 100 in the mounting aperture 20. In aspects, this results in less lateral movement of the mounting stud 104 in the mounting aperture 20 when the branches are compressed inwardly, without increasing the push-in force, while increasing the pull-out force required to pull the mounting stud 104 out of the mounting aperture 20.
  • a flange member 350 may be a bulb, bulge, ridge, distended portion, compression limiter, deflection limiter, pivot member, or the like, which is defined on at least one side of a branch 112 (e.g., the upper side 226, the lower side 228, the upper side 326, the lower side 328, both the upper and lower sides). While the outer shape of the flange member 350 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4A is curved, in other aspects the outer shape of a flange member may be another shape.
  • the flange member 350 may be located anywhere on the lower side (e.g., lower side 228, lower side 328) or upper side (e.g., upper side 226, upper side 326) of a branch 112 (e.g., first branch 318, second branch 320).
  • the flange member 350 is defined on the lower side 328 of the first branch 318.
  • the flange member may be positioned based on the flex point of the branch by determining the tangency for a flat portion (e.g., flat portion 420) on the upper branch, taking a perpendicular line from the tangency, and using that point to define the starting flex point of the branch.
  • a starting point of the flange member 350 may be positioned at or adjacent to that location.
  • a flange member may be positioned nearer to the end of the branch or nearer to the root of the branch than what is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4A-4C .
  • the branch proximate to the end of the mounting stud may not include a flange member.
  • the mounting stud 104 includes a cap portion 138 configured for receiving a portion of a nesting branch 140 (e.g., an uppermost branch, a last engaging branch) of the mounting stud 104.
  • the cap portion 138 may include one or more axially extending flanges 242 extending from an outside surface 644 (illustrated in Fig. 6 ) of the mounting stud 104 that are shaped to receive a portion of the nesting branch 140. In this way, the cap portion 138 allows the nesting branch 140 to deflect against (during mounting stud 104 insertion into the mounting aperture 20) and nest within the cap portion 138 (as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 ).
  • a fir tree mount 100 may include at least one of a cap portion 138 or the flange member 350 (described above).
  • a fir tree mount 100 may further include a body section 160 configured to contact the first side 14 of the supporting structure 10, limit the longitudinal insertion of the mounting section 102 into the mounting aperture 20, and thereby prevent the fir tree mount 100 from being pushed completely through the mounting aperture 20.
  • the body section 160 may be configured for positioning adjacent to the first side 14 of the supporting structure 10 (e.g., panel 12).
  • the body section 160 includes a spring section 262 that includes a stabilizer (e.g., diaphragm spring 264, winged stabilizer, spring-less stabilizer) having a first end 266, a second end 267, and a bottom portion 268.
  • the second end 267 is configured for engaging the first side 14 of the supporting structure 10, as illustrated in Fig. 2 .
  • the spring section 262 is configured to contact the first side 14 of the supporting structure 10 to limit the longitudinal insertion of the mounting section 102 into the mounting aperture 20.
  • a body section 160 may support a connector section 170 configured for connecting with an object support, as illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • a diaphragm spring is a spring that when compressed during insertion, on the first side supporting structure, forces a set of branches (e.g., offset axially (staggered) branches, non-staggered branches) below the second side of the supporting structure surface to engage the surface below the supporting structure.
  • a set of branches e.g., offset axially (staggered) branches, non-staggered branches
  • the function of the compressed diaphragm may be to adjust a set of engaging branches to all the different panel thickness within a defined thickness range.
  • the inserted/mounted fir tree mount may be able to migrate along the axis (perceived looseness along the axis) until engagement with a set of branches (e.g., offset axially (staggered) branches, non-staggered branches).
  • a set of branches e.g., offset axially (staggered) branches, non-staggered branches.
  • a fir tree mount 100 also includes a connector section 170 that connects with the body section 160.
  • the connector section 170 may include an object support 180 that is configured to attach to the component 30, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • An object support 180 may include one or more of a routing component, a clip, toothed clip, wire clip, cable clip, clamp, cable tie mounts, panel fasteners, tape bar, wire channel, saddle mounts, wire harness anchors, self-affixing clip fastener (e.g., connector clip, bundling clip, harness clip, ratchet P-clamp, C-clip, docking clip, tubing clip, pipe clip, edge clip, routing clip, push pin, ratchet clamps, locking clamps), and the like.
  • the object support 180 may also include a moment arm or other structure configured to space an attached component 30 apart from the fir tree mount 100.
  • the connector section 170 includes an object support 180 that is a cable tie mount.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates a partial, perspective view of the anti-wobble fir tree mount 100 having a mounting section 102 with a plurality of branches 112.
  • the branches 112 are arranged in two arrays (first array 522, second array 524).
  • the branches 112 extend from a first end 813 to a second end 815.
  • At least one of the arrays (e.g., the first array 522) includes a flange member 350 that extends along a portion of the sweep of the branch 112 (e.g., a continuous segment extending along a portion of the sweep of the branch, multiple flange member segments extending intermittently along at least a portion of the sweep of the branch, multiple flange member segments extending intermittently along the full sweep of the branch).
  • an anti-wobble fir tree mount 900 having a mounting section 902 with a plurality of branches 912.
  • the branches 912 are arranged in two arrays (first array 922, second array 924).
  • the branches 912 extend from a first end 913 to a second end 915.
  • At least one of the arrays includes a flange member 950 (e.g., a single flange member segment) that extends along the full sweep of the branch 912, for example, as a continuous segment (e.g., an annular segment that extends annularly to a longitudinal axis of the mounting stud, an annular segment that extends annularly a limited distance to a longitudinal axis of the mounting stud).
  • a flange member 950 e.g., a single flange member segment
  • the anti-wobble fir tree mount 900 is illustrated without a connector section, for simplification.
  • an anti-wobble fir tree mount may attach to the component via the body section.
  • the fir tree mount may be a push pin fastener (e.g., plastic rivet) configured for attaching a component to a supporting structure through a mounting aperture defined in the supporting structure.
  • the spring section of the body section holds the component (e.g., a trunk panel, a door panel, a wheel housing, a dash panel) to the supporting structure (e.g., a vehicle chassis, a vehicle frame).
  • the fir tree mount 1000 is similar to the fir tree mount 100 illustrated in Figs. 1-8 and described above, except as detailed below.
  • the fir tree mount 1000 includes a mounting section 1002, a mounting stud 1004, a base 1006, a center section 1008, an end 1010, a plurality of branches (e.g., first branch 1012, second branch 1014, third branch 1016, fourth branch 1018), a first array 1022, a second array 1024, a flange member (e.g., flange member 1050, flange member 1052), a body section 1060, and a bottom portion 1068.
  • branches e.g., first branch 1012, second branch 1014, third branch 1016, fourth branch 1018
  • a first array 1022 e.g., a second array 1024
  • a flange member e.g., flange member 1050, flange member 1052
  • body section 1060 e.g., flange member 1052
  • the branches may include upper sides and lower sides similar to the upper sides and lower sides illustrated in Fig. 3 and described above.
  • the first branch 1012 includes an upper side 1026 and a lower side 1028
  • the second branch 1014 includes an upper side 1027 and a lower side 1029.
  • a flange member 1050, 1052 may include a flat portion located between an outer ramp portion and an inner ramp portion.
  • the outer ramp portion may have a steeper pitch than the inner ramp portion relative to the lower side of the first branch.
  • an inner ramp portion may have a steeper pitch than an outer ramp portion or both ramp portions may have the same pitch.
  • a flange member may have a cross-sectional shape that includes a conic portion represented by the inner ramp portion, a cylindrical portion represented by the flat portion, and a semi-ellipsoidal portion represented by the outer ramp portion.
  • a flange member may include one or more of no flat portion, a short flat portion, or a long flat portion.
  • the mounting section 1002 illustrated in Fig. 10 is oval in shape.
  • the fir tree mount 1000 is illustrated without the connector section illustrated, for simplification.
  • the branches are configured in an offset or helical thread pattern.
  • the first array 1022 of branches may be axially spaced, along the longitudinal axis of the mounting stud 1004, and spaced apart from the second array 1024 of branches, thereby defining a helical thread pattern.
  • the mounting stud 1004 includes a cap portion 1038 configured for receiving a portion of a nesting branch (e.g., nesting branch 1040, nesting branch 1041) of the mounting stud 1004.
  • the cap portion 1038 may include one or more axially extending flanges (e.g., flange 1042, flange 1043) extending from an outside surface of the mounting stud 1004 that are shaped to receive a portion of a respective nesting branch.
  • the cap portion 1038 allows the nesting branch to deflect against (during mounting stud 1004 insertion into the mounting aperture) and nest within the cap portion 1038.
  • nesting branch e.g., nesting branch 1040, nesting branch 1041
  • nesting branch 1040 nesting branch 1040
  • nesting branch 104 nesting branch 1041
  • the cap portion 1038 reduces the gap defined between an inner side (e.g., an upper side) of a branch and the mounting stud 1004.
  • the components of an anti-wobble fir tree mount may be fabricated of any suitably resilient material, including polymeric material and metal.
  • the polymeric material may include one or more of polyamide, polyamide 6.6, nylon 6, nylon, polypropylene, and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).
  • PPS polyphenylene sulfide
  • One or more of the components of an anti-wobble fir tree mount may be formed of the same material as the other components, or a different material than the other components.
  • an automotive panel assembly including a fir tree mount (as described above) and a supporting structure having a mounting aperture defined therein, the fir tree mount including a mounting section and a body section.
  • the fir tree mount is configured for attachment to the supporting structure at the mounting aperture defined in the supporting structure.
  • the mounting section includes a mounting stud and plurality of flexible branches extending outwardly from the mounting stud.
  • the branches are configured for deforming (flexing) predominantly in a direction parallel to a direction of insertion of the mounting stud into the mounting aperture through a frontside of the supporting structure.
  • the branches include a first branch extending from the mounting stud and a second branch extending from the mounting stud.
  • the second branch is spaced apart from the first branch.
  • the first branch is positioned between the body section and the second branch.
  • the first branch and the second branch are configured for deflection in a direction of the body section upon insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture.
  • the second branch further includes an upper side facing the body section.
  • the first branch further includes a lower side facing the upper side of the second branch.
  • the first branch also includes a flange member extending from the lower side, the flange member configured for contacting the upper side of the second branch during insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture to limit a deflection of the second branch in the direction of the body section.
  • the automotive panel assembly further includes a connector section (as described above) that includes an object support configured to attach to a bundled component (e.g., a bundle of elongate articles).
  • the operations (or steps) of a method may include one or more operations that may be performed in, but are not necessarily limited to, the order or combinations described herein. Further, any of one or more of the operations may be repeated, combined, or reorganized to provide other operations utilizing examples techniques of this disclosure.
  • a method of manufacturing an anti-wobble fir tree mount includes molding a fir tree mount having a mounting section and a body section.
  • the fir tree mount is configured for attachment to a supporting structure at the mounting aperture defined in the supporting structure.
  • the mounting section includes a mounting stud and plurality of flexible branches extending outwardly from the mounting stud.
  • the branches are configured for deforming (flexing) predominantly in a direction parallel to a direction of insertion of the mounting stud into the mounting aperture through a frontside of the supporting structure.
  • the branches include a first branch extending from the mounting stud and a second branch extending from the mounting stud.
  • the second branch is spaced apart from the first branch.
  • the first branch is positioned between the body section and the second branch.
  • the first branch and the second branch are configured for deflection in a direction of the body section upon insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture.
  • the second branch further includes an upper side facing the body section.
  • the first branch further includes a lower side facing the upper side of the second branch.
  • the first branch also includes a flange member extending from the lower side, the flange member configured for contacting the upper side of the second branch during insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture to limit a deflection of the second branch in the direction of the body section.
  • the method further includes molding a connector section (as described above) that includes an object support configured to attach to a bundled component (e.g., a bundle of elongate articles).
  • a method of using an anti-wobble fir tree mount includes attaching a fir tree mount having a mounting section and a body section to a supporting structure at a mounting aperture defined in the supporting structure.
  • the mounting section includes a mounting stud and plurality of flexible branches extending outwardly from the mounting stud.
  • the method includes the operation of inserting the mounting stud into the mounting aperture.
  • the branches are configured for deforming (flexing) predominantly in a direction parallel to a direction of insertion of the mounting stud into the mounting aperture through a frontside of the supporting structure.
  • the branches include a first branch extending from the mounting stud and a second branch extending from the mounting stud.
  • the second branch is spaced apart from the first branch.
  • the first branch is positioned between the body section and the second branch.
  • the first branch and the second branch are configured for deflection in a direction of the body section upon insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture.
  • the second branch further includes an upper side facing the body section.
  • the first branch further includes a lower side facing the upper side of the second branch.
  • the first branch also includes a flange member extending from the lower side, the flange member configured for contacting the upper side of the second branch during insertion of the mounting section into the mounting aperture to limit a deflection of the second branch in the direction of the body section.
  • the method further includes attaching a component (e.g., bundle of elongate articles) to an object support connected to the fir tree mount.
  • anti-wobble fir tree mounts configured to attach a component to a substrate are as follows:
  • a, b, or c can cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., a-a, a-a-a, a-a-b, a-a-c, a-b-b, a-c-c, b-b, b-b-b, b-b-c, c-c, and c-c-c, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).
  • items represented in the accompanying figures and terms discussed herein may be indicative of one or more items or terms, and thus reference may be made interchangeably to single or plural forms of the items and terms in this written description.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Connection Of Plates (AREA)
EP23181950.9A 2022-06-30 2023-06-28 Nicht-wobble-fir-baumhalterung Pending EP4299928A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202263367461P 2022-06-30 2022-06-30
US18/321,570 US20240003374A1 (en) 2022-06-30 2023-05-22 Anti-Wobble Fir Tree Mount

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4299928A1 true EP4299928A1 (de) 2024-01-03

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ID=87340798

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23181950.9A Pending EP4299928A1 (de) 2022-06-30 2023-06-28 Nicht-wobble-fir-baumhalterung

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US (1) US20240003374A1 (de)
EP (1) EP4299928A1 (de)
KR (1) KR20240002937A (de)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4902182A (en) * 1988-10-06 1990-02-20 Trw Inc. Push-in fastener
US4938645A (en) * 1989-05-30 1990-07-03 Phillips Plastics Corporation Tee tree fastener
WO2006113867A1 (en) * 2005-04-20 2006-10-26 Avery Dennison Corporation Cable tie with fir-tree type fastener
US20090307883A1 (en) * 2008-06-11 2009-12-17 Newfrey Llc Fastening element to be fastened in a hole

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4902182A (en) * 1988-10-06 1990-02-20 Trw Inc. Push-in fastener
US4938645A (en) * 1989-05-30 1990-07-03 Phillips Plastics Corporation Tee tree fastener
WO2006113867A1 (en) * 2005-04-20 2006-10-26 Avery Dennison Corporation Cable tie with fir-tree type fastener
US20090307883A1 (en) * 2008-06-11 2009-12-17 Newfrey Llc Fastening element to be fastened in a hole

Also Published As

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US20240003374A1 (en) 2024-01-04
KR20240002937A (ko) 2024-01-08

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